Around Dublin: School seeks help expanding engineering program

The optimist sees the glass as half full. The pessimist sees the glass as half empty.

The engineer sees the glass as twice as big as it needs to be.

Jokes about engineers are plentiful, but what's no laughing matter is that demand for these skilled positions is high and expected to stay that way in the near future. So, the timing could not be better for Dublin High to expand its impressive engineering curriculum and look to the community for a little help.

"We started the engineering program in the fall of 2010 with two sections of Principles of Engineering," said Eugene Chou, the coordinator of the school's Engineering and Design Academy. Chou is also is the faculty adviser for the school's Robotics Club. "We now have a total of eight sections with approximately 190 students enrolled in five different engineering courses."

Since its inception, the engineering offerings at the school have gone from just introductory courses to engineering design and most recently computer science and software engineering and computer integrated manufacturing. Four Dublin High teachers in addition to Chou and Howard Hirano, a retired engineer and one of the original supporters of the program, have been trained and added to the faculty of the Engineering and Design Academy.

"This year we're planning to start our mentor program for our juniors and seniors," says Chou, who says they need area engineers willing to help foster the next generation of professionals to become mentors for the school. "We hope to foster relationships with our current industry partners as well as find new ones."

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According to its "Top Jobs for 2013," Forbes magazine lists mechanical engineers at number nine and industrial engineers at number 10. And Campus Explorer lists environmental engineers in one of the top 10 careers for job security. These careers are in demand but often require a high level of education, meaning that the top opportunities may require a graduate degree.

At DHS this past year, the engineering department held its first Entrepreneur Competition and Showcase, at which students competed in a "Shark Tank" TV-show type presentation. Hirano says a panel of six industry judges evaluated the students and awarded prizes.

Today, Chou says the academy is somewhat a victim of its own success.

"It has been a steady uphill climb for us and we are quickly growing out of our classroom space but could possibly see the addition of Aerospace Engineering and possibly growth in our sections as we see an increase in our school size."

If you're one of those "glass is twice as big as it needs to be" engineers and want to help mentor DHS students, contact Chou via email at ms.eugenechou@gmail.com.

Women's Club Holiday Events: I realize that summer isn't technically over with yet, but the plan-ahead types at the Dublin/San Ramon Women's Club are already quite busy with preparations for their 19th annual Fashion Show & Luncheon The event, which very often sells out, will be held Nov. 10 at the San Ramon Marriot Hotel at Bishop Ranch. Reservations need to be made by Oct. 1. In addition to the fashion show and lunch, there is boutique shopping, prizes and the usual holiday cheer.

Proceeds from this year's event will benefit the Children's Emergency Food Bank, an organization called Special Space -- which creates dream bedrooms for children with life-threatening diseases -- and other community service projects.

To make reservations or to obtain additional information call 925-785-3395.